Bookstores in Africa's Nation-Building: The Story of Timbooktoo in The Gambia

Between a Family Legacy and Egyptology: The Role of the Aboudi Bookstore in Egypt

This episode examines the Aboudi Bookstore and its role in Egyptology, the scientific and academic study of ancient Egypt. Established in 1909 in Luxor by Egyptologist and tour guide Professor Mohamed El Aboudi and his cousin, businessman Hamed El Aboudi, the Aboudi Bookstore is now run by third-generation family owners Taher Aboudi and his siblings. For more than 100 years, it has remained central to Luxor's cultural life, promoted the scientific study of ancient Egypt, and housed the largest collection of literature on Egyptology. Its collection encompasses materials on archaeology, language, religion, art, and Egyptian history. We interview Taher Aboudi about the bookstore's development and its role in Egyptian history, tradition, and culture.

Publishing for Liberation and National Development: From TPH to Mkuki na Nyota in Tanzania

When Tanzania gained independence in 1961, Julius Nyerere saw publishing as a key part of decolonization and nation-building. In 1966, he founded the Tanzania Publishing House (TPH), putting state publishing at the center of building national identity and culture, and of bringing people together through language. Tanzania’s influence grew throughout the 1970s and 1980s. During this period, Dar es Salaam served as the headquarters for several Southern African liberation movements, such as FRELIMO, SWAPO, and the ANC. TPH was central in this era, publishing and distributing anti-imperialist works like Walter Rodney's How Europe Underdeveloped Africa, Agostinho Neto's Sacred Hope, Samora Machel's Establishing People's Power to Serve the Masses, and Issa Shivji's Class Struggle in Tanzania. Integral to TPH’s influence during these years was Walter Bgoya, who served as managing director from 1972 to 1990 and played a major role in making TPH and Dar es Salaam a center for progressive intellectuals from around the world. His leadership was instrumental in shaping the publishing landscape. For publishers like TPH, state-led publishing ended in the 1990s. when the IMF's Structural Adjustment Program brought austerity and privatization, which hurt state-owned companies. This directly impacted TPH and changed the country's publishing landscape. When the government stopped supporting state publishing, Walter Bgoya decided to leave TPH in 1991. He went on to start Mkuki na Nyota Publishers, carving out a new path in independent publishing. Since then, Mkuki na Nyota has continued this legacy as a key force in East African publishing, producing critical academic, historical, and literary works. In this episode, we interview Walter Bgoya. We focus on his leadership at TPH and his founding of Mkuki na Nyota. The conversation explores African publishing as a tool for decolonization, culture, and independence. This episode is part of the Africanist Press's New Democracy Series.

Building a Literary Community: The Work of the Writers Association of the Gambia

In this episode, we spotlight the Writers Association of the Gambia and its efforts to build a vibrant literary community, featuring Dr. Cherno Omar Barry, the Association's President, who shares inspiring insights into how Gambian writers are boldly shaping the nation's literary and intellectual landscape. Osman Kargo conducted this interview in Banjul, Gambia. This episode is part of the Africanist Press New Democracy Series.

The Role of Libraries in African Development: A Look at the Gambia National Library Service Authority

In this episode, we explore how national libraries drive African development. Drawing on insights from Bakary Sanyang, Director General of the Gambia National Library Service Authority, we examine the real challenges facing Africa's national libraries and highlight how Artificial Intelligence and innovative digital tools can transform their management and operations. Osman Kargbo conducted this interview in Banjul, Gambia.

Bookstores in Africa's Nation-Building: The Story of Timbooktoo in The Gambia

In this podcast episode, we talk with Ousainou and Kathy Jagne, founders of Timbooktoo Bookstore in Banjul, Gambia. With 28 years of experience running an independent bookstore, they explain how bookstores shape communities and discuss ways to strengthen Africa’s reading culture. This episode of the Africanist Press New Democracy series uses Timbooktoo Bookstore as a case study to explore how bookstores and libraries support Africa’s nation-building. This interview was conducted by Osman Kargbo in Banjul, The Gambia.